CHAPTER XI
A GIRL TO HAVE FRIENDS
“Laura!” It was a soft little call sent fluttering in through the keyhole. “Laura, are you there?”
Laura with her chin propped on her hands at one of the broad sills stirred uneasily in her chair and glanced sideways at her roommate who was seated before the other window. Lucine had stopped reading aloud and was regarding the door with an irritable frown on her vivid dark face.
“I do wish, Laura, that you would tell Berta Abbott that an engaged sign on our door means nothing if not the desire for undisturbed privacy. She is the most inconsiderate person in the junior class. This is the third time——”
“Laura!” called the voice again, “answer me! I know you are in there. I’ve simply got to speak to you one minute. It’s awfully important.”
Laura half rose with a pleading smile toward Lucine who motioned her indignantly back to her seat.
“Laura Wallace, stay right there. You promised to help me revise this essay. You know that I can’t do it alone, because I haven’t a particle of critical ability; and the editors say they cannot print it as it is now. You are exceedingly selfish to think of deserting me just when I most need your suggestions. The board of editors meets to-night to choose the material for the next number of the magazine, and if they decline this again I shan’t be eligible for election next month. You promised.”